Homepage Story Archive

Dangerous "Fast Track" Legislation Goes Down in Senate

Thanks to all of you who called on the U.S. Senate to oppose "fast-track" treatment for the latest free trade bill. The Senate did just that, filibustering the bill and then voting to refuse to cut off the filibuster. The proposed "Trans-Pacific Partnership" would allow foreign corporations to sue governments if national laws – like those that protect health and environment – interfered with anticipated future profits.

Clean Power Plan could avert 3,500 premature deaths annually

PSR member Jonathan Levy, ScD has just published a study finding that the Clean Power Plan could save thousands of lives annually. Levy, co-author of the peer-reviewed study, said, "The results from the three different scenarios show that the policy choices within the Clean Power Plan matter and we can’t take public health benefits for granted." Levy presented initial findings on a PSR webinar in November.

May 4, 2015

Sale: 'The Silent Epidemic'

From May 4 – 13 The Silent Epidemic: Coal and the Hidden Threat to Health, Dr. Alan Lockwood's pivotal 2012 book, is 50% off from MIT Press with discount code MITP50. The Silent Epidemic examines the negative health effects of burning coal, from its chemical makeup to the details of its mining, disposal, and more. It is essential reading for people working against coal or air pollution and climate change.

PSR Comes to the NPT Review Conference

PSR's member Ann Suellentrop, RN (seated, far right) biked to New York from D.C. with Bikers and Mayors for Peace to highlight the urgent need for action to abolish nuclear weapons starting with the Non-proliferation Review Conference, beginning April 27 at the UN. PSR organized with Peace and Planet for a weekend filled with action. Get the lowdown on Peace & Planet April 24-26 activities and if you couldn't attend, read more on Bikers for Peace.

April 22, 2015

Earth Day, every day

To celebrate Earth Day, PSR-Philadelphia published a great article in the Philadelphia Inquirer, examining how a proposal to make their city a fossil fuel "energy hub" threatens health. The health and well-being of residents and the environment, they insist, must come first. PSR works every day to free our communities, nation and world of the looming dangers of climate change, toxic chemicals, nuclear power and nuclear arms. Join us!

April 22, 2015

Udall-Vitter legislation critically ill

Catherine Thomasson and other health professionals present to press at the Senate: Udall-Vitter bill still critically ill. Legislation introduced by Senators Udall (D-NM) and Vitter (R-LA) would would overhaul how chemicals are regulated in the U.S. The group invited by Sen. Boxer is pressing for no state pre-emption, expediting known bad chemicals and defining "unreasonable risk" among other significant improvements.

Arizona PSR creates climate resilience guide for Southwest

Climate change isn't just coming; it's here, and some communities are already bearing the brunt. Arizona PSR has prepared a "Citizen's Guide to Readiness for Climate Extremes in the Desert Southwest." It's a great resource for building resilient communities, increasing dialogue, and gently revealing the reality of climate change. Read it here -- even if you don't live in a desert or drought-stricken area.

April 8, 2015

President focuses on health threats from climate change

In honor of National Public Health Week, President Obama is speaking out on the health effects of climate change. So is PSR! We and two allied groups presented the president with a letter signed by almost 1,000 health professionals, supporting the Clean Power Plan and urging that it be carried out through increased development of energy efficiency and clean, renewable energy sources.

Your hard work paid off! A framework agreement has been reached!

Today in Lausanne, Switzerland, the "P5 + 1" negotiators announced that a framework agreement has been reached for a final comprehensive deal with Iran, concerning Iran’s nuclear program. Negotiators worked tirelessly through and beyond the March 31st deadline to resolve major issues and find solutions. The P5+1 and Iran now have until June 30th to work out the details for a final agreement.

PSR asks senators to put health first in chemical reform debate

PSR-Maine received thanks from their senator for standing for real reform of our chemical regulatory system. The Udall-Vitter bill currently before Congress fails to protect us from toxic chemicals in our consumer products and communities. Prospects for meaningful reform hinge on senators voting to put health first over industry interests. Learn how the health voice is taking center stage in this battle for health-protective reform.

March 25, 2015

PSR Welcomes New Climate Organizer

PSR is happy to welcome our new climate organizer. Paz Artaza-Regan has a long history of organizing in the faith community on a variety of issues, from environmental justice to, most recently, a campaign against torture. Here at PSR she will be organizing our Climate Health Action Teams. Welcome, Paz!

March 23, 2015

Health and environmental groups unified in opposition to industry-driven bill

At a recent U.S. Senate hearing, Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA) utilized the voices of over 400 health, environment and consumer groups -- including PSR -- to highlight the critical flaws in the proposed chemical reform bill. She illuminated the bill's lack of protections for consumer health and safety, along with the many ways industry would benefit if the bill becomes law. Learn what would make this industry-driven proposal truly health-protective.

March 19, 2015

New "Body Count" Report Analyzes the Human Toll of the War on Terror

On March 19, 2015--the 12th anniversary of the onset of our country's ill-fated military intervention in Iraq--PSR is releasing the latest edition of Body Count for North American distribution. Authored by IPPNW-Germany, the report is a comprehensive account of the vast human toll of the "Wars on Terror" conducted in the name of the American people since September 11, 2001.

PSR calls on EPA for tighter ozone limits

PSR joined more than a half-million people urging the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to strengthen its air quality standard for ground-level ozone, commonly called smog. While EPA proposed lowering the standard from 75 parts per billion to 65-70 ppb, PSR supports reducing it even more in order to protect children's health.

New toxics reform legislation has been introduced in Congress to overhaul regulation of chemicals in consumer products. PSR and our public health allies agree: The new proposal falls sadly short in its ability to ensure that chemicals are safe; to set meaningful deadlines for chemical safety reviews; to provide EPA with adequate funding, and to protect states' rights to enact their own laws to reduce exposures to toxic chemicals. Learn what real health-protective chemical reform looks like.

March 10, 2015

"The Dynamics of Possible Nuclear Extinction"

The proceedings from this remarkable Helen Caldicott Foundation symposium, Feb. 28-March 1 in New York City, are now available to view online. Dr. Caldicott helped build PSR into a national organization in the 1980s. Video is available for each of the expert panelists, including PSR's Steven Starr and many others such as Hans Kristensen, Alan Robock, Janne Nolan, and Noam Chomsky.

February 25, 2015

PSR Celebrates Veto of Keystone XL Pipeline

Braving the winter cold, PSR stood with nurses, environmentalists and college students outside the White House to celebrate President Obama's veto of legislation that would have required construction of the Keystone XL pipeline. The pipeline would ship Canadian tar sands oil across the U.S. to ports where it could be refined and exported. Tar sands oil, which is thick, viscous and corrosive, is dangerous and highly damaging to the environment and the climate. Read PSR's press release »

February 24, 2015

PSR applauds Obama's veto of Keystone Pipeline bill

Physicians for Social Responsibility applauds President Obama’s decision to veto the congressional bill to advance the Keystone XL pipeline.

Climate change will be worsened with further Alberta Tar Sands extraction.

Antibacterial, stain-resistant -- and harmful to health

Many everyday consumer products contain chemicals harmful to our health. Triclosan and PFCs are chemicals commonly found on our shelves and in our homes -- and new research reveals that they may cause impacts ranging from liver damage to immunotoxicity. Learn how to reduce your exposure by reading our factsheets on triclosan and PFCs.